The pre-construction process for the new Wenatchee Valley College Student Recreation
Center on the Wenatchee campus has begun. The college has submitted applications to
the city for a conditional use permit. A meeting with the city planning commission
will take place on July 20 for approval of the building design.

Construction of the building could begin later this summer and is expected to be completed
by the summer of 2017.

The Legislature and State Board of Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) approved
financing of the $6.2 million recreation center. Students on the WVC-Wenatchee campus
will pay a $5 per credit fee, with a maximum of $75 per quarter, for the next 20 years
to repay the loans for the center. WVC students voted to approve the fee in 2015.
No state building or operating funds will be used for construction.

The center will be 17,500 square feet, with a 5,000 sq. ft. mezzanine. It will have
two full-size basketball courts, a multipurpose room, and, on the mezzanine level,
fitness equipment and weights. There will also be space for volleyball, badminton
and indoor tennis.

The center could also be used for events such as career fairs and dances, and other
fitness activities such as yoga and dance.

“The final design was driven by student preferences—not athletics and not college
leaders,” said Suzie Benson. “Athletic and instructional priorities were important
in the design, of course, since the purpose is fitness and recreation. When it opens,
the building will be managed with student leadership setting priorities and overseeing
the operations.”

The recreation center will be located to the west of Smith Gym on the Wenatchee campus,
where two tennis courts are located. The other two courts will remain.